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The following circumstantial account of the last illness 

and death of General ^A^ashington was noted by T. 

Lear, on the Sunday following his death, which 

happened on Saturday evening, Dec. 

14, 17^9, between the hours of 

ten and eleven. 



On Thursday Dec. 1 2 the General rode out to his farms about 
ten o'clock, and did not return home till past 3 oclk. Soon after 
he went out, the weather became very bad, rain hail and snow 
falling alternately, with a cold wind. — When he came in I carried 
some letters to him, to frank, intending to send them to the Post 
Office in the evening. — He franked the letters ; but said the 
weather was too bad too send a Servant up to the Office that even- 
ing. — I observed to him that I was afraid he had got wet, he said 
no, his great coat had kept him dry ; but his neck appeard to be 
wet, and the snow was hanging on his hair. — He came to dinner 
without changing his dress. In the Evening he appeard as well 
as usual. 

A heavy fall of snow took place on friday. which prevented 
the General from riding out as usual. — He had taken cold (un- 
doubtedly from being so much exposed the day before) and com- 
plained of having a sore throat — he had a hoarseness, which in- 
creased in the evening ; but he made light of it, as he would never 
take anything to carry off a cold , always observing, " let it go as 
it came." — In the evening the papers having come from the post 
office, he sat in the room, with Mrs. Washington and myself, read- 
ing them, till about nine o'clock, and, when he met with anything 
which he thought diverting or interesting, he would read it aloud. 
— He desired me to read to him the debates of the Virginia As- 
sembly, on the election of a Senator and Governor ; which I did. 
— On his retiring to bed, he appeared to be in perfect health, ex- 
cepting the cold before mentioned, which he considered as triffling, 
and had been remarkably cheerful all the evening. — 

About 2 or 3 o'clk on Saturday Morning he awoke Mrs. 
Washington & told her he was very unwell, and had had an ague. 
She observed that he could scarcely speak, and breathed with dif- 
ficulty — and would have got up to call a servant ; but he would 
not permit her lest she should take cold. — As soon as the day ap- 
peared, the woman (Caroline) went into the room to make a fire 
— & he desired that Mr. Rawlins, one of the Overseers who was 
used to bleeding the people, might be sent for to bleed him before 

the 



the Doctor could arrive — And the woman (Carohne) came to my 
room requesting 1 might go to the General, who was very ill. — I 
got up put on my clothes as quick as possible, and went to his 
chamber. — Mrs. Washington was then up, and related to me his 
being taken ill about 2 or 3 o'clk, as before stated. — I found him 
breathing with difficulty — and hardly able to utter a word intelli- 
gibly — I went out instantly — and wrote aline to Dr. Craik, which 
I sent off by my Servant, ordering him to go with all the swiftness 
his horse could carry him, — and immediately returned to the Gen- 
eral's chamber, where I found him in the same situation T had left 
him. A mixture of Molasses, Vinegar & butter was prepared, to 
try its effect in the throat ; but he could not swallow a drop, when- 
ever he attempted it he appeared to be distressed, convulsed, and 
almost suffocated. — Mr. Rawlins came in soon after sun rise — and 
prepared to bleed him. When the Arm was ready — the General, 
observing that Rawlins appeared to be agitated, said, as well as he 
could speak, " dont be afraid'' and after the incision was made, he 
observed, " the orifice is not large enougJi^ However, the blood 
ran pretty freely. — Mrs. Washington, not knowing whether bleed- 
ing was proper or not in the General's situation ; beg'd that much 
might not be taken from him, lest it should be injurious, and de- 
sired me to stop it ; but when I was about to untie the string, the 
general put up his hand to prevent it, and as soon as he could 
speak, he said " iJiore." — Mrs. W. being still uneasy lest too much 
blood should be taken, it was stop'd after about half a pint was 
taken from him. — Finding that no relief was obtained from bleed- 
ing, and that nothing would go down the throat, I proposed bath- 
ing the throat externally with Salvalattita, which was done, and in 
the operation, which was with the hand, and in the gentlest man- 
ner, he observed 'tis very sore. A piece of flannel was then put 
round his neck. His feet were also soaked in warm water. — This, 
however, gave no relief. — In the mean time, before Doctor Craik 
arrived, Mrs. Washington requested me to send for Doct. Brown 
of Port Tobacco, whom Doctor Craik had recommended to be 
called, if any case should ever occur that was seriously alarming. 
— I dispatched a Messenger (Cyrus) to Dr. Brown immediately 
(about nine o'clk) — Doctor Craik came in soon after, and upon ex- 
amining the General he put a blister of canthardis on the throat 
& took more blood from him, and had some Vinegar & hot water 
put into a Teapot, for the General to draw in the steam from the 
nozel — which he did, as well as he was able. — He also ordered 
sage tea and Vinegar to be mixed for a Gargle. — This the General 
used as often as desired ; but when he held back his head to let it 
run down, it put him into great distress and almost produced suf- 
focation. When the mixture came out of his mouth some phlegm 
followed it, and he would attempt to cough, which the Doctor en- 
couraged him to do as much as he could ; but without effect, he 
could only make the attempt. — About eleven o'clock Dr. Dick 



was 



was sent for. — Dr. Craik bled the General again about this time. — 
No effect, however, was produced by it, and he continued in the 
same state, unable to swallow anything. — Doctor Dick came in 
about 3 o'clk, and Dr. Brown arrived soon after. — Upon Dr. Dick's 
seeing the Genl. & consulting a few minutes with Dr. Craik, he 
was bled again, the blood ran slowly — appeared very thick, and 
did not produce any symptoms of fainting. — Doctor Brown came 
into the chamber room after, and upon feeling the General's pulse 
&c. the Physicians went out together. — Dr. Craik soon after re- 
turned.— The General could now swallow a little (about 4 o'clk) — 
Calomel & tartar em. were administered ; but without any effect. 
— About half past 4 o'clk, he desired me to ask Mrs. Washington 
to come to his bed side — when he requested her to go down into 
his room & take from his desk two wills which she would find 
there, and bring them to him, which she did. — Upon looking at them 
he gave her [one] which he observed was useless, as it was super- 
ceeded by the other, and desired her to burn it, which she did, 
and then took the other & put it away. — After this was done, I 
returned again to his bed side and took his hand. He said to me, 
" I find I am going, my breatli cannot contimie long, I believe dy 
''from the first attack it woidd be fatal, do yoji arrange & record 
" all my late military letters & papers — arrange my accounts & settle 
" my books, as you knozu more about them than any one else, and 
'' let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters, which he has 
" beguny — He asked " zvhen Mr. Lewis L. Washington ivoidd re- 
turn?'' I told him I believed about the 20th of the month. He 
made no reply to it. — The Physicians again came in (between 5 & 
6 o'clk) and when they came to his bed side. Dr. Craik asked him 
if he could sit up in the bed. He held out his hand to me & was 
raised up, when he said to the Physicians. " I feel myself going, 
yon had better not take any more trouble about me ; but let me go 
off qidetly ; I cannot last long.'' They found what had been done 
was without effect — he laid down again and they retired except- 
ing Dr. Craik. — He the then said to \\vcc\,'' Doctor, I die hard, but 
I am not afraid to go, I believed from my first attack that I zvd 
not survive it, my breath cannot last long." — The Doctor pressed 
his hand but could not utter a word. — He retired from the bed 
side — and sat by the fire absorbed in grief — About 8 o'clk the 
Physicians again came into the Room, and applied blisters to his 
legs ; — but went out without a ray of hope. — From this time he 
appeared to breath with less difficulty than he had done ; but was 
very restless, constantly changing his position to endervour to get 
ease. — I aided him all in my power, and was gratified in believing 
he felt it ; for he would look upon me with his eyes speaking 
gratitude ; but unable to utter a word without great distress. — 
About ten o'clock he made several attempts to speak to me before 
he could effect it — at length, he said, " I am Just going, Have me 
" decently buried, and do not let my body be put into the Vault in 

less 



"less than tivo days after I am dead." — I bowed assent. — He 
looked at me again, and said " Do yoii understand me " — I replied 
Yes Sir, " Tis zvell" said he. — About ten minutes before he ex- 
pired his breathing became much easier — he lay quietly — he with- 
drew his hand from mine & felt his own pulse — I spoke to Dr. 
Craik who sat by the fire — he came to the bed side. — The Gene- 
ral's hand fell from his wrist. — I took it in mine and laid it upon 
my breast — Dr. Craik put his hand over his eyes and he expired 
without a struggle or a Sigh! ^-^ — —While we were fixed in silent 
grief — Mrs. Washington asked, with a firm & collected Voice, ''Is 
he gone \. — I could not speak, but held up my hand as a signal 
that he was. — " Tis well " said she, in a plain voice, " All is now 
over. — I have no more trials to pass through. — I shall soon follow 
him! 



OCCURRANCES NOT NOTED IN THE PRECEDING 

PAGES. 

The General's Servant.* Christopher, attended his bed side & 
in the room, when he was sitting up, through his whole illness. — 
About 8 o'clk in the Morning the General expressed a wish to 
get up. His clothes were put on, and he was led to a Chair, by 
the fire. — He lay down again about two hours afterwards. — A 
glister was administered to him, by Dr. Craik's directions, about 
one o'clock ; but produced no effect. — He was helped up again 
about 5 o'clock — and after sitting about one hour, he desired to be 
undressed and put in bed, which was done. — Between the hours 
of 6 and nine o'clk, he several times asked what hour it was. — 
During his whole illness, he spoke but seldom & with great diffi- 
culty and distress, and in so low & broken a voice as at times 
hardly to be understood. — His patience, fortitude & resignation 
never forsook him for a moment. — In all his distress he uttered 
not a sigh nor a complaint, always endeavoring to take what was 
offered him, or to do what was desired. — 

At the time of his decease Dr. Craik & myself were in the 
situation befcre mentioned. — Christopher was standing by the bed- 
side. — Mrs. Washington was sitting near the foot of the bed. — 
Caroline, Charlotte, and some other of the servants were Standing 
in the Room near the door. — Mrs. Forbes, the House-keeper, was 
frequently in the Room in the day & evening. — 

As soon as Dr. Craik could speak, after the distressing scene 
was closed, he desired one of the Servants to ask the Gentlemen 
below to come up stairs. — When they came around the bed, I 
kissed the cold hand, which I had 'till then held, laid it down, 



* In the afiernoon the General observing that Christopher had been Stand- 
ing by his bed side for a long time — made a motion for him to sit in a chair 
which stood by the bed side. — 

went 



went to the fire and was for some time lost in profound grief, un- 
til aroused by Christopher desiring me to take care of the Gene- 
ral's keys and things which he had taken out of his pockets, and 
which Mrs. Washington directed him to give to me. — I wraped 
them up in the General's Handkerchief, and took them with me 
down stairs ; — About 1 2 o'clk the Corps was brought down and 
laid out in the large Room. — 

Sunday — Dec. 15." — Mrs. Washington sent for me in the 
morning and desired 1 would send up to Alexa. and have a Coffin 
made, which I did. — Doctor Dick measured the body which was, 
as follows. In length 6 it. 3^ inchs exact 

Across the Shoulders i — 9 — ,, „ 

Across the Elbows — 2 — I — ,, ,, 

After breakfast — I gave Dr. Dick and Dr. Brown forty dolls, 
each, which Sum Dr. Craik advised as very proper, and they left 
us. — I wote letters to the following persons informing them of the 
melancholly event. — * 



Mrs. Washington informed 
me that the Executors to 
the Generals will, were — 
Wm. Washington 
Bushrod Washington 
G. S. Washington 
Saml Washington 

& 
G. W. P. Curtis. 



Bushrod Washington ^ Inclosed to Colo Blackburn 
V desiring him to forward 
Colo Wm. Washington J them by express. — 



Lawrence Lewis 
G. W. P. Curtis 



"I Sent express to New Kent 
j by Cccsar. 



The President of the United States "" 
General Hamilton 
John Lewis, desiring him to give 
information to his brothers 
George, Robert D Howell & 
to Capt Saml. Washington 



Sent to the Post 
Office. 



George S. Washington 
Colo. Ball 
Genl. Pinckney 
Capt Hammond 



Sent off to Berkley on Monday 
Morning by my Servant 
Charles 



Mr. Stuart was sent for in the Morning — About 10 o'clk Mr. 
Thos. Peter came down — and about 2 came Mr. & Mrs. Law to 
all whom I had sent on Saturday Evening. — Dr. Thornton came 
down with Mr. & Mrs. Law. — Dr. Craik tarried here all this day 
and night. — 

In the evening I consulted with Mr. Law, Mr. Peter & Dr. 
Craik on fixing a day for depositing the body in the vault. — I 
wished the ceremony to be postponed 'till the last of the week, to 
give time to some of the General's Relations to be here. But Dr. 
Craik & Dr. Thornton gave it decidedly as their opinion that, 
considering the disorder of which the General died, being of an 
inflammatory kind, it would not be proper, nor perhaps safe to 

keep 



keep the body so long, and therefore Wednesday was fixed upon 
for the funeral, to allow a day (Thursday) in case the weather 
should be unfavorable on Wednesday. — 



MONDAY— DEC. i6. 

People were directed to open the Vault, clean away the rub- 
bish from about it & make everything decent around it. — 

Dr. Craik, Mr. Peter & Dr. Thornton left us after breakfast. — 
Mrs. Stuart and her two daughters came here in the forenoon. — 
Mr. Anderson went to Alexa. to get a number of things prepara- 
tory for the funeral. — Mourning clothes were ordered for the fam- 
ily, domestics & overseers. — 

Information being received from Alexa. that the Military, 
Free Masons. &c. were determined to show their respect to the 
memory of the General, by attending his body to the grave — 
measures were taken to make provision for the refreshments of 
a large number of people, as some refreshment wd be expected. 
Mr. Robt Hamilton wrote a letter informing that a schooner of 
his would be off Mt. Vernon to fire minute guns on the funeral of 
the deceased. — Gave notice of the time fixed for the burial to the 
following persons by Mrs. Washington's desire. — Mr. Mason & 
family — Mr. Peake & family — Mrs. Peake — Mr. Nickols & family 
Mr. McCarty & family— Miss McCarty— Mr. & Mrs. McClan- 
ahan — Lord Fairfax & family — Mr. Triplett & family — Mr. Ander- 
son & family — Mr. Diggs — Mr. Cockburn & family — L. W. Mas- 
sey & family. 

I wrote also to the Revd. Mr. Davis to read the Services. — 

Mrs. Washington desired that a door might be made for the 
Vault, instead of having it closed up at formerly, after the body 
shd be deposited — observing — " That it will soon be necessary to 
open it again!' 

TUESDAY— DEC. 17. 

Every preparation for the mournful ceremony was making. — 
Mr. Diggs came here in the forenoon, and also Mr. Stewart Adju- 
tant to the Alexa. Regt. to view the ground for the procession. — 
About one o'clk the Coffin was brought from Alexa. in a Stage. — 
Mr. Ingle the Cabinet maker, and Mr. W. Munn, the plumber 
came with it, also Mr. Grater, wilh the Shroud. — The body was 
laid in the Coffin, at which Jime I cut off some of the General's 
hair for Mrs. Washington. — 

The Mahogany Coffin was lined with lead, soddered at the 
joints — and a cover of lead to be soddered on after the body 
should be in the Vault. — The whole put into a case lined & covered 
with black cloth. 

About 



WEDNESDAY— DEC. i8. 

About 1 1 o'clk numbers of persons began to assemble to at- 
tend the funeral, which was intended to have been at twelve o'clk ; 
but as a great part of the Troops expected could not get down in 
time, it did not take place till 3. — Eleven pieces of artillery were 
brought down. — And a Schooner belonging to Mr. R. Hamilton 
came down and lay off Mt. Vernon to fire minute guns. — The 
Pall holders were as follow— Colonels — Little, Simms, Payne, Gil- 
pin, Ramsey, & Marsteller-^-and Colo. Blackburne walked before 
the Corps. — 

Colo. Little, Simms & Deneal and Doctr Dick formed the 
arrangments of the Procession — which was as follows — The 
Troops — Horse & foot — Music playing & Solemn dirge with muf- 
fled Drums.— The Clergy— viz The Revd. Mr. Davis— Mr. Muir, 
Mr. Moffatt, & Mr. Addison— The Body borne by Officers & 
Masons, who insisted upon carrying it to the grave. — The Prin- 
cipal Mourners— viz. Mrs. Stuart & Mrs. Law — Misses Nancy & 
Sally Stuart— Miss Fairfax & Miss Dennier[?]— Mr. Law & Mr. Peter 
— Doctor Craik & T Lear — Lord Fairfax & Ferdinando Fairfax. 

Lodge No. 23. — Corporation of Alexandria. All other 

persons, preceded by Mr. Anderson, Mr. Rawlins, the Overseers, 
&c. &c.— 

The Revd. Mr. Davis read the service & made a short extem- 
porary speech — The Masons performed their ceremonies — and 
the Body was deposited in the Vault — All then returned to the 
House & partook of some refreshment — and dispersed with the 
greatest good order & regularity. — The remains of the Provision 
were distributed among the. Blacks. — Mr. Peter, Dr. Craik & Dr. 
Thornton tarried here all night. 



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